[ksflatlander]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

... Also, I'm much more of a Lambo guy than Ferrari, they just don't do it for me.

+1

[WULFFZA]

Given the price range, I'd say you are conscientious about money and running cost and resale are probably important factors.

The Audi I would expect to cost a heck of a lot less to maintain and repair given its shared components. New an 08 started at $100Kish. and they resell for $90-100K now. That is amazing. An loaded M5 in 08 was close to $100K and with no miles you may get $50K now.

I'd go with R8, probably a little 'slow' for a supercar, but running it around Infineon proved that it is more than enough car for my skill set.

[esqu1re]

r8 4.2 will have the sludge problems that the RS4 has. Keep that in mind.

[My3rdM3]

I agree with above posts of GT3 or 997 Turbo being a better alternative, I had a new 2002 996 turbo for 5 years and the thing was bullet proof. I think long term a 6speed manual 360 will hold its value better and age better than R8, R8 is beautiful today, but when the next gen is released it will lose its cache, the 360 is tried and proven

[Nati Beastcat]

Keep your M3 and invest the money...

[HotIce]

R8.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by KJ

That's a beautiful PICTURE, now go sit in the car in person and give me your thoughts again.

Those beautiful knobs you see aren't aluminum, they are cheap and thin plastic. The whole interior doesn't feel "solid" and "expensive".

You have to remember that these are photoshopped "Glamour" shots of the car, not what it looks and FEELS like in reality.

For that kind of money, I'd rather get a 911 Turbo, which is what I did.

Ultimately I sold it because the back seats and the "trunk" were too impractical for me and I found myself driving my SUV all the time to run errands instead of enjoying a car I could do everything with!

- KJ

I've seen the interior in real , it's not as racing as I would like , but it's not cheap for sure ! I also prefere a 911 turbo to a V8 R8 but it's the V10 that is near the turbo price !

[BMWJones]

If I were you, I'd go with a new Z06 for around the same price, faster than both of these cars, you can get it new with a good warranty. 360 too expensive to maintain, R8 is overrated IMHO. Good luck, you've got a quality problem on your hands.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by BMWJones

If I were you, I'd go with a new Z06 for around the same price, faster than both of these cars, you can get it new with a good warranty. 360 too expensive to maintain, R8 is overrated IMHO. Good luck, you've got a quality problem on your hands.

Why buy a brand new Z06 if you can have one in top shape for under 45k , these cars are reliable and not expensive to maintain !?

[Im4citadel]

Originally Posted by My3rdM3

I agree with above posts of GT3 or 997 Turbo being a better alternative, I had a new 2002 996 turbo for 5 years and the thing was bullet proof. I think long term a 6speed manual 360 will hold its value better and age better than R8, R8 is beautiful today, but when the next gen is released it will lose its cache, the 360 is tried and proven

I have tested the 997 Turbo and it is undoubtedly a great car. I am not purely looking for the performance end though. I am looking to have a weekend, mid-engine supercar.

So if you are asking me if looks and the "wow" factor are more important than pure performance...yes it is.

Here in the Tysons VA area a 911 Porsche is almost as common as Camrys (a joke, but seriously the Porsche dealership is down the road from my office and I see a new one rolling off the lot on a daily basis).

They are driven exclusively by 50 year old execs with cellphone holders (whoever lives in the DMV area...just try and deny this).

I want something unique that will be a show stopper.

I love having the M3 and discussing the car with other true enthusiasts and gear-heads, but if its truly going to be my "weekend" toy....I'm sorry, but I want attention looks.

My goal is to keep it close to $85000 as possible.

Again, I am headed down this weekend to FL and am testing the V8 R8 in question (I am very much leaning towards this one).

I would like to test the 360, but have no real time to head up to Cleveland to take a look at the red one.

I did however see one at the Sterling dealership here in DMV, but the sales manager there is like the Gestapo about test drives.

[Erhan]

Why are you rushing? I think it would be a mistake to not test drive an F360. You yourself said that you always wanted to have a Ferrari. I think you should at least give it a try.

[Im4citadel]

Originally Posted by Nati Beastcat

Keep your M3 and invest the money...

Sound advice...and I thank you for looking out...

I probably would say the same thing considering the line of work I am in, but there is a reason why I have laid out an$85K budget out of this bonus.

The majority went into my office's trading accounts and cutting off a huge portion of my current home's principal (remainder is at prime to maintain my taxes).

Again though...Sound advice. I truly do appreciate it.

[Im4citadel]

Originally Posted by Erhan

Why are you rushing? I think it would be a mistake to not test drive an F360. You yourself said that you always wanted to have a Ferrari. I think you should at least give it a try.

I think you are right (I know you're right....), but I have everything in line to move on this car and I am itching to make a decision and get behind the wheel.

I know I am being a child, but I get home and I am glued to the Comp screen looking for other deals.

I half considered the Vantage, but after riding my coworker's I wasn't a fan.

I went on a test drive in Owing Mills MD to test a practically new 09 GTR premium and although I liked the drive, it just didn't have the luxury factor behind it (I don't know how else to describe it other than "that solid build feeling").

I even test drove a CL63 and a used DB9 here at the Tyson's Benz.

The main reason I didn't move on any of them...I want a mid-engine car. In there build they may be nothing special, but to me a mid-engine build screams supercar...unique..I don't know...I want to be patient enough to hold off, but I'm like a little kid right now.

[Im4citadel]

Originally Posted by username11

What? You're going to potentially purchase the R8 without test driving the 360? If you do, make sure to never drive one, you will immediately regret your poor decision making

If you really want a show stopper, why are you considering a R8? The car has almost no road presence. That's appealing to some folks but not if you actually want the attention. When a 360 CS passes you, you will be like:



God will kill a kitten if you are choosing between an Audi and a Ferrari and choose the Audi without ever even driving the Ferrari, especially since one is in your backyard:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

I probably will, but the Ferrari seems to be extremely problematic and the 360CS is far above what I am looking to spend ($140K).

I personally think the R8 looks gorgeous. It's a true concept car come to life.

I also want the mileage to be less than 10K (somewhere is the 7K-8K range is ideal). It's just a preference.

[Nati Beastcat]

Originally Posted by Im4citadel

Sound advice...and I thank you for looking out...

I probably would say the same thing considering the line of work I am in, but there is a reason why I have laid out an$85K budget out of this bonus.

The majority went into my office's trading accounts and cutting off a huge portion of my current home's principal (remainder is at prime to maintain my taxes).

Again though...Sound advice. I truly do appreciate it.

How about a Nissan GTR ?

[JonnyM3]

To say an R8 has to road presence is just being ignorant.

[JonnyM3]

Save till you can afford the higher model. No need to rush into a new car IMO with winter not being 100% over.

[NYBulldog]

My knee jerk reaction is to choose the 360. Although I have to say that stock 360s just don't look as good to me as they used to. If you plan on doing a few modifications including wheels I think you could have an amazing Stallion in your driveway. But maintenance will be a big hurdle eventually so you may not have mod money at your disposal. Have you thought about a convertible? It adds a little glam to the already great aura of a Ferrari. I personally wouldn't buy a V8 R8. Don't get me wrong, great car and all but I just don't think I could do it. The V10 to me is so much better but of course it starts going way past your budget. I would prefer a Gallardo over a V8 R8. That car also has a hell of a presence, doesn't matter what year or submodel. Its very mod friendly. All that being said the V8 R8 and Gallardo can be driven daily with no problems.

[ec_E92]

Maybe it's the engineer in me or maybe I'm sick in the head but the thought of pulling the engine on a F car to maintain and go over each winter gives me goosebumps, in a good way. I've been watching 512TR's, 355's and 360's for awhile and it's on my bucket list until I can get into the orgasmic vintage stuff. I stopped drooling over the R8 a few years back. Just my opinion, but I vote 360.

[ty1gonz27M]

I'd go with the R8

[jra85]

Originally Posted by ec_E92

Maybe it's the engineer in me or maybe I'm sick in the head but the thought of pulling the engine on a F car to maintain and go over each winter gives me goosebumps, in a good way.

The 360 can be serviced (i.e. belts changed) with the engine in. There's an access panel in the cabin specifically for this purpose.

I won't say that the 360 is problem-free, and maintenance and parts are relatively expensive, but if you have the means, a Ferrari is something you should do at least once in your life

[Im4citadel]

Originally Posted by username11

Sounds like your mind is made up on the R8, but if you were going to seriously consider the 360 (dosen't seem like you ever were if you're not willing to go on a test drive at a dealer 20 miles away) then you would do well to read up on the maintenance.

The 360 marked the beginning of the era of excellence that Ferrari continues to operate in to this day when it comes to precision, engineering, and reliability. The car will cost you a fraction of what it would take to keep a 355 on the road.

Remember that people that don't own BMWs always talk about how unreliable they've heard BMWs are and how expensive they are to maintain. We know the truth - I will pay $0 out of pocket besides track-induced expenses and tires on my car for my ownership. Same thing goes for Ferraris - go read the threads on fchat or Ferrari Talk about 360 reliability if you want real data. Many owners with no issues with their cars besides scheduled maintenance.

The truth is I stopped by twice to try and test drive the 360 (mentioned it in an earlier post).

Of course I want to have a fair view of things...it's a Ferrari...

Flat out.....they won't let me.